The Excelsia & Sydney Film School Award is a new and prestigious film festival run by Excelsia College and Sydney Film School to give emerging talent an opportunity to develop and share their voice.

The festival seeks deep and meaningful short films of no more than 6 minutes from senior high school students (years 11-12) expressing thematic content around the nature of morality, existence, spirituality, philosophy, reality, and truth. Whilst this thematic content often lends itself primarily to dramas, all genres (comedy, action, documentary, thriller, etc) are accepted and encouraged.

About Sydney Film School

Sydney Film School was founded 16 years ago out of a desire to create a practical filmmaking experience focusing on the skills that are required for a successful career in the global film industry. Located at Waterloo Studios, it is situated in a purpose-built facility with world-class equipment available to students.

About Excelsia University College

Excelsia University College, Australia’s leading Christian Higher Education provider, has an innovative and creative community of people, who are passionate about excelling and growing academically, professionally, personally and spiritually. Established in 1983 as a creative and performing arts college, our students and alumni embark on a journey of lifelong learning and leadership.

Awards & Prizes

2024/25 AWARDS

Full scholarships are available for full-time first year of study in the Bachelor of Screen Production.

These limited scholarships will be offered to the film festival winners through set criteria and a judging process.

Please note ongoing course fees will be payable for the following two years of study (FEE-Help available).

Rules & Terms

Submissions must be uploaded and completed by Student Applicant.

Entry

1. Entry is free and open to all Australian and New Zealand citizens in high school.
2. The scholarship is only awarded to an Australian or New Zealand citizen in Year 11 & 12.
3. All fiction and non-fiction film genres are accepted. However, films outside of the described nature of the competition (refer to point 4 below) may not be recognised with an award or prize.
4. No film is to contain nudity, graphic violence, coarse language, or any material higher than an M15 rating. It is at the discretion of Excelsia College and Sydney Film School to determine whether the content is outside the described nature of the film festival.
5. All short films must be made within 1 year of entry.

Format

6. Each film must be no longer than 6 minutes excluding credits which should be limited to 10 seconds in total.
7. Films may be in any language or have no dialogue at all. Non-English audio must have English subtitles.
8. Ensure that all content in your film (including footage, music, images, props, etc.) is your own. If you include any copyrighted or trademarked content, you must be able to provide written permission from the owner for its use. Entries containing any unauthorised content will be disqualified.
9. All selected films must be available to screen on H.264 or ProRes file.

Submission & Rights

10. All entries must be submitted online by midday AEST, 13th January 2025.
11. The applicant and producer of a submitted film grant Excelsia College and Sydney Film School the rights to:

- Exhibit the film online for the duration of the Festival, in a programmed session available ‘on-demand’ from the Film Festival website. Include a section of the production for promotional purposes. This may be as part of a compilation and displayed on theatrical screening, websites, social media channels, EDM, and communications.

12. Entries cannot be withdrawn after submission. By submitting your film to the Festival for consideration, you acknowledge this condition of entry and waive your right to withdraw your film from the Festival after this date.
13. Deferral of scholarship placement limited to students in YR 11.
14. If your film is selected as a finalist for the Festival, you will be sent an email confirmation by 17th January 2025.
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  • Isabella Kerrigan

    Thanks so much for working with me, great festival!

    February 2022
    Helpful
  • Harrohinge None

    Great festival, organizers were very helpful

    February 2022
    Helpful